- Graham Russell
- Sat, Aug 25 2018
Longford Town host fellow First Division club Shelbourne at the City Calling Stadium in an FAI Cup second-round clash. (kick-off 7:30 pm)
LONGFORD TOWN
De Town come into this Cup clash in impressive form, following a three-game winning run in all competitions.
Last week, Neale Fenn’s Longford kept their promotion play-off aspirations alive with a hugely impressive 4-1 away win at Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night.
A brace by both Jamie Doyle and Dylan McGlade ensured their team moved to within two points of the final play-off spot, which is currently occupied by Drogheda United.
Prior to this, the Red and Black Army beat Athlone Town 3-0 on August 4th, and in what was arguably the performance of the round, knocked out Sligo Rovers 1-0 for the second consecutive season in the first round.
Following those three wins, confidence is sky-high in the Longford camp at present and, having also knocked Shamrock Rovers out of the EA Sports Cup, will go into this game believing that not only can they get past Shelbourne, but that they can give any team a game on their day.
Boss Fenn was no doubt delighted with the aforementioned results, especially the Galway one last week, but will know his charge’s need to give everything once again if they are to make the quarter-final stage.
Saturday night’s game will no doubt be another entertaining clash. The hosts will be without Sam Verdon – who is out for the season – and Dean Byrne. Jamie Hollywood and Peter Hopkins are both deemed doubtful for the clash.
SHELBOURNE
It is fair to say that the Reds are flying at the moment, winning their last five games in all competitions.
As well as being unbeaten in their last eight games, they have scored an impressive 19 goals in that spell.
Last week, the Drumcondra club won away to Wexford, winning by a scoreline of two goals to one at Ferrycarrig Park.
Greg Moorhouse netted a second-half brace, which cancelled out Aaron Dobb’s 38t-minute opener for the hosts. The win went a long way in helping the Reds finish in the play-off spots.
Boss Owen Heary witnessed his side sweep aside Athlone Town in the first-round. A Nika Kalandarisvii own-goal, Paddy Kavanagh, Moorhouse and Lorcan Fitzgerald all scored for the hosts on the night in a 4-0 win.
This will be the fifth meeting of the two sides this season, and the fifth ever meeting of the sides in the Cup. Having won all four of those -previous meetings, Shels will be hoping to stretch the record to five.
Everyone associated with the club is well aware of the form that the opposition are in and they expect a tough game in the Midlands, and one where Heary’s side will need to be at the top of their game to advance to the next round.
For Saturday’s game, Aidan Collins and Dave Mulcahy remain on the sidelines with injury, while Cian Kavanagh is a doubt as he is unwell. The Dubliners have no suspensions.
Meanwhile, Shels confirmed last week that young pair Dylan Grimes and James Woods have both departed the club.
Referee: John McLoughlin
MATCH STATS
Longford last won the Cup twice in their history, the last in 2004. The Reds have won it seven times, the third highest of any club. Their last came in 2000.
Both sides’ have met each other 35 times in competitive fashion, and Shelbourne have been dominant, winning 20. Longford have won just six, whereas there have been nine draws.
From the three league meetings between the pair so far, Shels have won two (3-2 and 6-1 in Drumcondra) and there was one draw (1-1 in Longford).
In last season’s FAI cup, Longford made it to the quarter-finals, losing out 4-1 to eventual winners Cork. Like in the last round of this season’s cup, they beat Sligo Rovers in the first round to progress, winning 4-2 after extra time.
Shels made it to the second round last year, beating Waterford 3-0 away in the first round. They succumbed to a 3-0 home defeat to rivals Shamrock Rovers in the preceding round.
Shels’ forward David O’ Sullivan returns to his old employers for the second time this season. He has a haul of 65 goals for De Town over a four-year spell, after signing for the club in 2013.
BETTING
Longford Town; Draw: Shelbourne. (unknown)
PREDICTION
Longford Town 2-1 Shelbourne.
Longford Town
Injured: Sam Verdon, Dean Byrne.
Doubtful: Jamie Hollywood, Peter Hopkins.
Suspended: None.
Shelbourne
Injured: Dave Mulcahy, Aidan Collins.
Doubtful: Cian Kavanagh.
Suspended: None
